MAZE - The Endless Quest

Once she felt comfortable with everyone’s new abilities, the Empress headed out to meet with the Harmony Guardians. They were now in a store that sold some interesting camping supplies, including something called ‘Dehydrated Tents.’ It didn’t take long for her to arrive and the owner of the store started talking about his creation.

The name was actually a lie. The tents were not dehydrated or anything of the sort. Instead, the man was able to condense the tent into a small bag about the size and width of a credit card. Using a vacuum spell and a very thin but durable mesh, he was able to create this. All tents had a basic defensive layer, a monster repellent spell attached to it, and a third spell that made it harder for other people to notice the tent itself. Not to mention, the tent was already pre-pitched. Meaning that once you put mana into it, it would return to its original size, ready to be used. In addition, there were some spells that would fix any damage the tent received to a certain extent.

But that was only the basic model. He also had bigger options, with more defenses, better hiding, air purification, temperature control, and even a ‘Super Deluxe Premium Set’ that was not only large enough for 10 people but also came with air mattresses, pillows, and magic sheets that could be warm or cold. In addition to a water gathering spell that would not just take the moisture of the air and turn into drinkable water, but also do that with any rain that fell on top of the tent. There was even a detachable rug that could create a small bonfire.

When stored, this version was a bit bigger, about the size of a journal, but considering everything it could do, it was amazing. Even better was the actual page of paper present when opening the cover. In there, you could pick one of the configurations and, by putting a bit of mana inside, the tent would appear. The only issue this had was that the tent itself had no way of generating mana. Every function was pretty well optimized, but for 12 hours with all its effects active, someone had to charge the tent with 10 million mana. Plus the 10 thousand necessary to change it from journal form to tent form and vice versa.

However, the price was a bit steep even for the level 60 Harmony Guardians. 4 thousand platinum, or 400 million gold. Even with all the wealth they accumulated in the past few days, this wasn’t an amount any one of them had available. But if they were to split, it wouldn’t be much of an issue. Which is exactly what they did. The tent in question was big, and could even be set up in various configurations depending on the part of the spell circle that was activated first. This store had a space where it showcased the various options and everyone really liked the idea of getting it.

Once that transaction was over, they finished up a few minor details of the shopping trip. Things like bandages and potions that would likely be hard to find in the middle of a battlefield. Hera also got a couple of enchanted arrow tips. They had either a silencing spell on them, or could create fog. In a pinch, she could make the arrow and use Robin to fire them, but she didn’t trust in her aim enough to do anything more than hit the ground.

Milla had already set up their travel plans, at least for this part of the journey. As it was with any mission where location was a sensitive information, they would only know about their next destination after reaching their current goal. But before leaving, they had one more place to stop by. The townhouse that was being used by Alex and Bonnie.

Hera also asked Leo and his group to meet them there. In the end, they agreed to gather everyone in around half an hour. Which was enough for the Harmony Guardians to stop by their hotel and grab their belongings. It was better to just leave as soon as they were ready. Besides, Roan was starting to become insufferable with his constant nagging about taking too long to leave. The beastman was really keen on going to the battlefield for reasons that were very different from the rest of the group.

It was a good thing that the constant traveling taught Hera to pack light, even if she had bought a new backpack, it was still small enough not to bother her movements, and all her belonging were there. Some changes of clothes, and underwear, toiletries like toothbrush, soap and a small bottle of shampoo, plus a first aid kit, her water bottle, and tools to care for her weapons. She didn’t have to do that, but it was relaxing to polish her court after a long day.

Arriving at the meeting place, Alex was the one who opened the door.

“Hey! What’s going on?” she asked before even allowing anyone to enter.

“Is everyone here? Mind if we come inside?” Hera asked with a smile, making sure not to speak about anything while outside their house.

“Yeah, yeah. Come in,” Alex nodded.

As the rest of the Harmony Guardians entered and closed the door, Leo, who was already inside, frowned, “Are you leaving?”

“Why do you say that?” Bonnie asked.

“They have their bags. There is no need for them to bring that here if they are just changing hotels or something,” the hunter replied.

Neria glanced at Hera with an amused expression as the Empress snapped her fingers and created a soundproof bubble around everyone.

“Yeah. We are leaving. Everyone wanted to say bye.”

“And where, pray tell, are you all going?” Elistrae was to the side, standing in the open kitchen. She reached out to the fruit basket.

“Eli, this seems serious. Can you please not eat a banana right now?” Alex asked as she noticed what the elf was about to do.

Elistrae rolled her eyes, “I was going for an apple.”

“Sure,” Alex shook her head and glanced back to Hera, “Why this feels serious?”

“Do you all know about Kertal?” Skyler asked, getting nods in response. But she didn’t say anything else. There was no need. Talking about that place only meant one thing. If it was a different situation, then she would’ve explained.

“Are you really going there?” Bonnie turned to Hera.

“I am. Lena is there,” Hera replied.

Alex groaned, “Of course she is.”

“Well… I guess this time we can’t stop you from going,” Leo chuckled, remembering what happened after the wall break.

Hera smiled, “You can try. I just don’t think it will work.”

Bonnie and Alex glanced at each other for a moment before shaking their heads, “We can’t go,” the assassin sighed.

“I know. It’s better for you to be here. If you can heal Marco. It’s going to help more than what you might help if you came with us.”

Vash turned to Leo and his group, “And for you all. We would need to veto your presence. I have no clue how long that would take.”

“I’m not leaving my uncle,” Leo replied.

“But you are already leaving the hospital. It’s progress,” Paige nodded.

“He only came here because we dragged him along. And he was with Tiger,” Sophie sighed.

“Hera…” Alex was staring at her friend, her hands trembling ever so slightly, “Did you call us here because you are worried about not coming back?”

The Empress paused, the notion that she wasn’t going to make it never crossed her mind. She turned to the Harmony Guardians and saw they all shared the same slightly confused expressions, “No. Not really,” the Ophidianite shook her head, “Like. I know it’s dangerous, but I think… We are ok. I’m not saying anything else because I don’t want to raise a flag.”

“Oh… ok,” Alex’s relaxed a bit, her stiff shoulders lowering.

“Yeah, we just asked everyone here to say bye. I mean, we’ve been traveling together for a while,” Skyler faced Leo and his group.

“And Hera was going to go come either way. So we just tried to say bye to everyone,” Neria added.

They nodded and talked for a few more minutes before the Harmony Guardians left. They still had a long road ahead of them. First, two days until reaching a room called ‘Ruin of Kath’alk.’ A place that, unlike the name suggested, was actually a bustling city that surrounded a ruined capital. The ‘Ruin’ was actually an aqueduct. Or at least part of it was.

After the construction of such a massive structure, their water supply was completely connected. As a result, a sudden outbreak of cholera was all it took for society to collapse. Everyone drank water from the same place, and the healers didn’t have a way to upkeep with the massive influx of patients while they themselves were also suffering from the disease.

With modern technology, that was no longer a problem, and the old ruins had become home to stone golems that walked around the old city. Around it, people had created a thriving society of crafters, since the mineral of the monsters was incredibly useful. Unfortunately, they didn’t have time to explore the place, and headed out to another room almost right away.

Only stopping in a massive room with a river so large that could easily be considered an ocean. Yet, it only had fresh water. There, the Harmony Guardians waited for a boat to come pick them up. That took a while, and they even had a chance to test their new tent, which was just as good as it sounded on paper. When morning came, they were no longer the only ones there, as a small battalion with about a thousand people arrived. Soon after, came the boat that was already filled with another few thousand individuals. But unlike the thousand on the shore, those in the boat didn’t wear the same kind of armor and weapons. Everyone had their own items and parties. Yet, they were all heading to the same place.

Kertal.

The boat ride ended up being a lot of fun. The boat was large enough, so no one felt too crowded, but there were still a lot of people. Some were performers, like Vash and they started singing and dancing. Turning the place more into a cruise than a ship heading to a war. The people in charge didn’t say anything. It was always good to keep morale up, but they still made sure to shut down anyone who was exagerating too much.

However, that stopped the moment they arrived at their destination. Aside from a few people in the top brass, no one knew the boat was going to drop them off near a doorway to Kertal. And the sight around this entrance was harrowing.

There was a large army there already, about twice the size of the one in the boat, but the area became a refuge camp for those who were forced to run away from their home. Several tents had been pitched and now the people walked around, carrying the few belongings they were able to salvage. Some were just staring into the distance, unable to forget the horrors they’d seen during the attacks.

The people were not hurt or injured, at least, not for the most part. A handful of unlucky ones had lost limbs, or were still being treated, as their wounds wouldn’t be recovered quickly. Some healers who arrived here early had already taken care of that, but the survivors were still haunted by the recent past. It was easy to see it in their eyes. Even the cheerful mood of those in the boat was completely gone now. Everyone focused on what they were going to do. Giving these people their home back might not help them deal with their memories, or bring their lost loved ones back, but at least, they would make the humans pay for what they had done.